Job summary
- Main area
- Cancer Support
- Grade
- Band 7
- Contract
- Fixed term: 12 months (until 8th March 2027)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Maternity cover)
- Job ref
- 430-CC26-611A
- Employer
- Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Ward 25 (Dept)
- Town
- Milton Keynes
- Salary
- £47,810 - £54,710 Per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 27/01/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Senior Sister
Band 7
At Milton Keynes University Hospital, you will be welcomed into a friendly and supportive environment where teamwork and respect are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to live our Trust values and behaviours every day, creating a culture where everyone feels heard and valued.
MKUH staff's Motivation and Involvement scores are among the highest in our peer group, showing that our people feel inspired and included in decision-making (Staff Survey, 2024).
Our benefits
We believe in recognising and rewarding the amazing contribution of our staff and that is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, work-life balance, and professional growth, including:
- Free on-site parking including EV charging
- Complimentary refreshments
- Flexible working arrangements
- Discounted gym membership
- Salary sacrifice car scheme
- Generous annual leave, with the option to bank holiday entitlement
- Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme
- On-site nursery (charges apply)
- A wide-ranging staff health and wellbeing programme including EAP
- VIVUP products to support your mental, physical, and financial Wellbeing
Job overview
Senior Sister
Department: Ward 25
Band 7 Fixed Term Contract
Hours: 37.5 all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
A fantastic opportunity has arisen within our Cancer Service for an opportunity as a senior sister on ward 25. at Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
The team aspire to provide exceptional care for the public of Milton Keynes and as such we are looking for a passionate, enthusiastic, proactive and motivated Registered Nurse to assist us to achieve our aspirations. Are you that nurse?
The successful candidate will work alongside the current senior structure within the Cancer Centre, collaborating to ensure the provision of high quality, visible, professional leadership, setting and maintaining standards of clinical excellence, improving outcomes and experiences for patients, families, and carers within the Haematology service.
Experience and understanding caring for patients with cancer and a nationally recognised Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy course is desirable.
The post holder will work on service development and governance to ensure the Ward maintains high national and peer review standards.
This rapidly expanding modern and busy centre offers many training opportunities for their staff, recent developments have led to the opening of our cancer centre in February 2020.
Opportunities to develop both clinical & managerial skills & for further study.
Interview date: Week commencing 2nd February 2026.
Main duties of the job
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute
“- NHS Survey, 2024'' 94% feel that their role makes a difference to patience and service users.
A forward thinking & supportive Management Team, Nurse Practitioners, Palliative Care Team & Macmillan Information and Support Centre support this developing service.
• To act as the professional role model, leading and co-ordinating the nursing team.
• To have continuous responsibility for the management and organisation of the ward/department within the available resources.
• To be accountable for the overall provision of excellent nursing care and to work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team.
• To assess the effectiveness of current practices within the ward/department and introduce innovations that lead to improved quality of care.
• To maintain the highest standards of patient care at all times, ensuring that quality and compassion are your top priorities.
We passionately believe in holistic care, with a newly established wellbeing team to enhance the recovery package for patients living with and beyond cancer. We have a Citizen Advice Bureau on-site and offer a wide range of carers and patient support groups.
Working for our organisation
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a “Good” rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards – a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards – and the recently approved Women and Children’s Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Clinical Practice
• Act as a credible, strong and visible role model in the ward ensuring that there is regular contact with patients, carers and staff.
• Develops and maintains a quality service ensuring that all staff are aware of the key objectives/ambitions of the unit and the ward area.
• Provide excellent clinical leadership by demonstrating best practice in the clinical environment, working on a one-to-one basis with both staff and patients and engaging with other members of the MDT to observe performance of care from all levels; challenging, correcting or encouraging as practice is observed, ensuring high standards are maintained.
Management
• To participate in the development of Divisional and Trust policies, ensuring that they reflect the strategic plans of the Trust.
• Ensure the effective utilisation of staffing resources over a 24-hour period to maintain safe staffing levels according to care needs and within budget.
• To monitor the ward workload and patient acuity in relation to staffing skill and patient ratio and to ensure appropriate staffing.
• To monitor closely and manage staff sickness/absence adhering to the Trust’s HR policies and identify symptoms of stress and manage these accordingly.
Education
• Take a lead role in the education and assessment of all nursing staff and pre and post registration students ensuring an appropriate learning environment in accordance with the University and Trust requirements.
• Ensure that ward staffs education aims to meet the requirements of National Cancer Standards & specialty in order to meet the physical, psychological and treatment needs of Cancer inpatients.
• Promote a positive learning environment within the unit for all staff, in conjunction with the Matron.
• Undertake the regular performance review of staff, setting clear and achievable objectives appropriate to the grade and role.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Person specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential criteria
- RGN with relevant post registration experience.
- Relevant First Degree/ENB 237/A27 or equivalent
- Chemotherapy course
- ENB 998 and relevant teaching experience.
- Evidence of own updating and academic education
Desirable criteria
- Advanced Communication skills training
Experience
Essential criteria
- RGN with relevant post registration experience in specialty
- Experience of managing cancer inpatient ward including inpatient Systemic Anti- Cancer Therapy.
- Relevant experience at Band 6 level.
- Excellent communication skills
- Previous budgetary experience
- Knowledge of clinical trials and their use within a Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy setting
- Audit awareness
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of Peer review process
Skills
Essential criteria
- Proven ability in cannulation and administration of Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy
- Knowledge relating to pathways and treatment for solid tumours and haematological malignancies
- Evidence of leadership qualities
- Management of CVAD’s
Personal and people development
Essential criteria
- Maturity / self awareness
- Good team working skills
- Sensitivity based on knowledge
- Enthusiasm / motivation
- Good interpersonal skills
Communication
Essential criteria
- Good verbal and non-verbal skills
- Advanced communication course
Specific requirements
Essential criteria
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Alison Sandaver
- Job title
- Lead Sact &TYA Nurse/Matron
- Email address
- [email protected]
List jobs with Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Nursing and Midwifery or all sectors